Mike Magee scored his first
goal of the year in the 17th minute on an easy finish. Veteran
midfielder Chris Klein alertly noticed
forward Tristan Bowen was onside
and quickly knocked a diagonal ball in his direction.

FCD defenders Ugo Ihemelu and George John were looking for an offside call but
John appeared to keep Bowen onside. The 18-year-old, who made his first
MLS start, then dashed up the left flank and passed to a streaking
Magee, who had an easy tap-in past Kevin Hartman.

Dallas had only two chances of note in the opening frame. In the
fifth minute, Jeff Cunningham had an
opportunity for his fifth goal of the year but saw his effort stopped by
Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. And
about six minutes before the break, FCD’s Atiba Harris had a chance on the right flank
but shot it high over the FCD goal.

The early stages of the second half produced little offense for
either side. In the 57th minute, FCD displayed some great combination
play with Cunningham and Dax McCarty delivering a nice exchange in the
visiting third.

Cunningham dribbled in but saw his chance snuffed out by Ricketts.
The ensuing deflection fell to the feet of Brek Shea, who had his shot deflected. Ricketts
eventually corralled the ball to end the threat.

In the 63rd minute, FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman had seen enough
and pulled Cunningham in favor of the fresher legs of Eric Avila. With the attack still very sluggish,
Hyndman made another change in the 72nd, bringing off Shea for the
speedy Marvin Chavez.

Six minutes later, Hyndman made his final change, taking rookie right
back Zach Loyd out for 18-year-old
midfielder Bryan Leyva, who was making
his MLS debut.

But Gregg Berhalter, Omar Gonzalez and the rest of the Galaxy
offered few chances and held on for the result. With the win, LA move to
7-0-2 on the season and set an MLS record for fewest goals allowed
(two) over 10 games to open a season.

Dallas, meanwhile, fall to 2-2-5 and saw their 12-game home unbeaten
streak snapped. Before Thursday night’s setback, FCD’s last loss at home
was nearly a year ago when Hyndman’s club fell 3-1 to in-state rival
Houston.